NASHVILLE – The Titans hosted their 4th annual Taste of the Titans fundraiser Wednesday at Nissan Stadium, raising over $90,000 with proceeds split equally to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and the Titans Foundation, which supports charities throughout the volunteer state.
As guests arrived, they were greeted by Titans cornerback Adoree Jackson, offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, running back Derrick Henry and linebacker Jayon Brown, all of whom signed autographs and posed for pictures.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee helps enable young people in need to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. More than 4,300 youth are served at nine Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs and through community outreach initiatives annually.
"When I think of the Tennessee Titans, I think impact. On and off the field, the Titans organization leads and continuously demonstrates their commitment to the success of our community," said Dan Jernigan, President & CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. "Such is the case with this year's Taste of the Titans. To be selected as this year's charity will have an everlasting impact on our Boys & Girls Clubs and the thousands of youth we serve each year."
"It's such a wonderful night and event to align with Nissan and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee," said Titans Vice President of Marketing and Broadcast & Digital Rights, Ralph Ockenfels. "The funds raised can help Middle Tennessee areas for years to come. Taste of the Titans has become a favorite event of our entire organization."
Nissan has been making donations to Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee since 1999 and to the Boys & Girls Clubs in Rutherford County since 1993. Nissan directs its corporate contributions to nonprofits that focus on the environment, humanitarian aid and education. The Boys & Girls Clubs are education champions, nurturing their Club members' academic success, character and good health.
"Nissan has been supporting Boys & Girls Clubs in Middle Tennessee for more than 20 years, and our corporate contributions to local Clubs now exceed $1 million," says Andrew Tavi, Nissan Division Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs. "We share the Boys & Girls Clubs' commitment to education and appreciate all they do to invest in children and their potential to thrive as adults."
Country music singer-songwriter Michael Hardy, known professionally as Hardy, provided an acoustic performance which included God's Country, Signed, Sober You and his hit single, Rednecker.
Hardy was born in Philadelphia, Miss. and moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting. He has written songs for Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton and Morgan Wallen, and has released his own music through Big Loud Records.
"Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith emceed the evening with a one-on-one session with Titans controlling owner, Amy Adams Strunk, general manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel
The evening was complete with fun activities, including photos with Titans' cheerleaders and T-Rac, viewing and photos with the Heisman Trophy, entertaining greenscreen photos, a silent auction teeming with all types of unique goodies all benefitting a good cause.
The Titans hosted their 4th annual Taste of the Titans fundraiser at Nissan Stadium, raising over $90,000 with proceeds split equally to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and the Titans Foundation. (Photos: David Schenk)
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
For more than 116 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee (BGCMT) has enabled all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Annually, more than 4,300 youth are served at nine Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs and through community outreach initiatives. Clubs are located in Davidson & Williamson counties.
Boys & Girls Clubs provides a safe place, professional caring staff, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours.
BGCMT's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator. Boys & Girls Clubs give youth a sense of belonging and the tools to achieve academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good citizenship. BGCMT's 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability in achieving our mission.
To learn more, please visit www.bgcmt.org, like us on Facebook [GreatFuturesStartHere], follow us on Twitter at @BGCMT, or Instagram at bgc_middletn. Hashtags include #GreatFutures, #GreatFuturesStartHere, and #WhateverItTakes.
